U.S. President Joe Biden turns 79 on Saturday, and just a day before his birthday, he underwent his first surgical procedure while in office. As soon as he left the hospital, he faced two significant issues: one regarding his popularity and the other related to divisions within American society. Biden underwent a short surgery for a colonoscopy on Friday, which required him to be under full anesthesia. During the approximately 85-minute procedure, he transferred his duties to Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first woman in U.S. history to hold presidential powers.
Immediately upon exiting Walter Reed Hospital near Washington, Biden spoke to reporters, stating that the results of his examination were "very good" and that he had resumed his presidential duties.
**The Matter of Kyle Rittenhouse**
His responsibilities commenced as he was asked about the acquittal of a teenager who killed two people during a protest against racism. Biden responded, "I just heard about it, and I did not watch the trial," according to CNN. He emphasized his commitment to respect the court's decision to acquit Kyle Rittenhouse of all charges, stressing the importance of respecting judicial decisions in the United States.
A U.S. court had ruled on Friday to acquit Rittenhouse of the charges of killing two people and injuring a third during a racial injustice protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020. The jury found that the teenager acted in self-defense. Rittenhouse's case has caused a public outcry that has divided Americans, with some calling for his conviction and others defending him.
Later, Biden issued a statement saying that the court's decision would likely anger and concern many Americans, including himself. He reiterated his commitment to unify Americans, believing that what brings them together is greater than what divides them. "I know we won’t heal the wounds in our country overnight, but my commitment remains to do everything I can to ensure every American is treated equally," he stated.
Anticipating protests and confrontations, the president urged demonstrators to protest peacefully and to avoid violence and property destruction. The acquittal sparked loud protests across the United States, with demonstrators taking to the streets in Wisconsin and New York, leading to several arrests, amid expectations of further demonstrations. Rittenhouse has become an icon among far-right factions in the U.S., and some groups have adopted his case as their cause.
A new poll indicated that 76% of Democrats believe Rittenhouse should have been convicted of murder, while 65% of Republicans disagree. Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk told Politico, "It is clear that Kyle is innocent." He added, "But this trial is about more than just Kyle [Rittenhouse]. It is about the rule of law, it is about the Constitution, the Second Amendment [the right to bear arms], and the right to defend yourself when attacked by a violent mob [referring to protesters]."
**Declining Popularity of Biden**
Beyond issues of racism and societal division, President Joe Biden faces a significant problem of declining popularity. The Atlantic magazine reported that the biggest mystery in American politics right now is the reason for Biden's plummeting approval ratings. Initially, Biden's popularity was relatively moderate, with a 53% approval rating compared to a 36% disapproval rating. However, after only ten months in office, his popularity dramatically declined, as shown in a recent poll by The Washington Post and ABC News, where 53% of Americans expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's performance.
Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll released on Friday revealed that only 36% of Americans are satisfied with their president's performance, while 53% are not. The Atlantic noted that these results have widespread implications, as Biden seeks to pass a massive social spending program. To get the legislation through Congress, he needs the support of all Democrats, yet some may not vote in favor of its passage. The magazine highlighted, "If Biden continues to have such low popularity a year from now, Democrats in Congress may lose the midterm elections next year."
